The Block star sells popular city salad bar

‘‘They got things really right... [although] I might make a few subtle changes to put my mark on it.’’

Trish Quinn new owner

A Palmerston North reality TV star has sold the family salad bar to a long-time customer.

Emily Blanchett, half of The

Block duo Chlo and Em, started The Green House with her mum, Gill Yorke, five years ago.

They had hoped to sell the business to someone who loved it as much as they did.

Graphic designer and businesswoman Trish Quinn has put up her hand. She has been a regular customer since the healthy takeaway bar opened on The Square and felt buying it was a nobrainer for her next challenge.

‘‘I’ve always loved The Green House. Gill and Emily have done an amazing job,’’ Quinn said.

When The Green House went on the market, Blanchett told Stuff she and her mother had put their hearts and souls into building the popular food spot.

She was moving to New York to join her partner, fashion photographer Hayden Worsfold, who had gone to the Big Apple to pursue his career.

Yorke had been considering retirement, or at least semiretirement, to pursue other passions, such as interior design.

Quinn said she was thrilled to be hopping the counter and taking over one of her favourite businesses.

‘‘They got things really right... [although] I might make a few subtle changes to put my mark on it.’’

Quinn admired how Blanchett and Yorke always served customers with humour and charm, and they had passed that approach on to staff.

She planned to keep the existing team and employ another three to help cover shifts.

Quinn has recipe ideas she is keen to try, and will use her experience running art and design firm Blackheart Creative to broaden the scope of The Green House’s advertising and marketing.

‘‘Emily and Gill never had the need. They built this awesome business on social media. So, I just want to extend that a bit more.’’